Water pooling beneath your house is never something you want to ignore. Here in Boise, whether you are dealing with spring snowmelt running off the foothills or heavy irrigation soaking the heavy clay soils on the Bench, moisture under the floorboards causes major problems very quickly. When you are hiring someone to clear out that water and dry things up, it is easy to make choices you will regret later.
Here are some common mistakes homeowners make during Water Damage Restoration in Boise, and how you can avoid getting burned.
Treating the Symptom Instead of the Source
Pumping water out of a crawl space is only half the battle. If a contractor rolls in, sucks up the standing water, and calls it a day without figuring out why it pooled there in the first place, you will be right back where you started after the next big storm. Omega Restoration always looks at exterior drainage, downspouts, and local grading before touching a pump. Make sure whoever you hire investigates the root cause.
Skipping the Drying Phase
Getting the liquid water out does not mean your crawl space is actually dry. The wooden floor joists, subflooring, and surrounding silt or clay retain an incredible amount of moisture. If a crew pulls out the standing water but leaves commercial dehumidifiers and air movers out of the plan, you are practically inviting mold and wood rot to settle in. Trapped humidity destroys framing faster than almost anything else during Water Damage Restoration.
Falling for Cheap, Patchwork Vapor Barriers
A thin sheet of plastic slapped down haphazardly over a muddy dirt floor will not cut it. Omega Restoration sees old, shredded vapor barriers all the time that are doing next to nothing to stop ground vapor from rising. If you are paying for Water Damage Restoration and remediation, insist on heavy-duty materials, taped seams, and proper wall attachments if you are moving toward full encapsulation.
Failing to Check Credentials and Local Experience
Not all contractors understand the unique quirks of Treasure Valley housing. Older homes in the North End have totally different challenges compared to newer builds out in Meridian or Kuna. Omega Restoration recommends that you always work with licensed, insured professionals who know local soil conditions and building habits inside and out.
Take your time, ask hard questions upfront, and make sure the Water Damage Restoration work gets done right the first time around by Omega Restoration in Boise, Idaho.